Bale processor

Abstract

The present invention discloses a bale processor for separating and selectively chopping baled crop materials. A moving barrier advances a bale into a separator which includes a rotating elongate tube provided with hinged finger-like flails. The flails remove material from the bale and discharge it in a directed manner. The material may be cut to differing sizes as desired by retractable knives positioned in the discharge outlet. Alternatively material can be separated without chopping. A second freely rotating blade separates material from the upper portion of the bale directing it into the path of the separator tube. The processor may be used to distribute crop material over a wide area mounted on a trailer and towed by a tractor. The apparatus advantageously can accommodate square or round bales employing a simple and economical bale handling mechanism.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for separating and selectively chopping a bale of crop material comprising: means for supporting at least one bale of crop material;   an elongate rotatable member adjacent the means for supporting a bale;   fingers on the rotatable member for separating and drawing crop material from the bale and expelling it from the apparatus;   a discharge outlet for directing the expelled material;   means to advance a bale relative to the rotatable member;   retractable cutting members for cooperation with the fingers to selectively chop the separated crop material; and   means for adjusting the height of retractable cutting members.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the retractable cutting members comprise a series of regularly spaced knives arranged between the paths of the fingers projecting into the discharge outlet, whereby separated material is forced against the sharpened edge of the knives by the fingers and cut before passing through the discharge outlet. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the height of the knives projecting into the discharge outlet is adjustable from a position where the discharge outlet is unobstructed to a position substantially the full height of the discharge outlet. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein a threaded lift bar is provided for adjusting the height of the knives. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further provided with a deflector above the rotatable member for forcing upper portions of the bale material down to the rotatable member, and for preventing material from passing over the rotatable member. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the deflector includes moveable blades for flaking off portions of bale material. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the moveable blades are provided on a freely rotating shaft. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the moveable blades comprise paddles of a freely rotatable elongate wheel. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the paddles are partial length of the elongate wheel and offset along the length of the elongate wheel. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the elongate wheel is provided with rotational drive means. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including an adjustable outlet guide for directing the expelled material. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the adjustable outlet guide comprises a hinged deflector gate with adjustable length support arms to determine the angle of the deflector gate in cooperation with the discharge outlet. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a wheeled frame adapted for movement across the ground is provided to support the apparatus. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a smooth surface is provided to support at least one bale of crop material having a groove operatively connecting an advancing barrier to a chain drive for slidingly advancing a bale toward the rotatable member. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the smooth surface is inclined away from the elongate rotatable member to provide a gravitational assist in advancing a bale of crop material.